The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-01-22

he was too gallant to refuse 10 accom-
pany me. About sunset we took our
way to the lake, and embarked in sep
arate boats felt that little could be
complished by pursuit. 1t was this
mysterious vanishing we must prevent
if possible. So l determined to take
my place near where the boat had DIS
appe arcd. Lord Gl,ndale, who was II
rapid rover, was to wait on the opposite
side and, at the right nom mt give
chase, while I would stand guard over
the myster Gus rock. The evening was
not rs bright as the preceding one had
been, for the sky was overcast by filmy
clouds which partially obscuWd the
moon. Ipushed my skiff as much into
the shadow as possible, and waited
in silence. In a few minutes l heard
the sound of splashing waters. 1t
seemed to cone from behind the rocks.
Presently a boat, rowed by the most
beautiful creature 1 had ever seen,
parted the vines which hung down
over the rocks near by, and shot away
across the lake and down the stream.
stationed myself at the exact spot
whence the boat had emerged. and
waited anxiously for my friend to act.
1t was sometime before the mysterious
boat returned; but l waited PATIENTLY,
oars in hand. At last it came slowly
back. Lord Glendale was on the alert
and Immediately gave chase, and pursued
and pursuer sho. towards Inc with in
credible rapidIty. / tried to keep down
my rising excitement. / felt that now
or never was the time, and l crouched
low, fearing that she might see me and
dart off in another direction. She was
evidently wearied with her long row,
, for my friend was close upon her. She
did not see me until her skiff touched
mine. Quick as fla h she turned but
we were both upon her. and, by some
unlucky movement, her frail bark was
overturned, and, with wild cry for
help, she sank out of sight.
/ Glendale was in the water in an in
slant. lie caught her the first time
she rose, and we soon had her in the
boat She was no ghost, but dripping,
half drowned. frightened girl. she re-
preached us for molesting her, and
begged pitcously to be released. Glen
dale wrapped the dripping form in my
coat, assuring her that we were friends
and would be most happy to serve her.
: She seemed to recognize him, and felt
sure from their conversation that she was
indeed Lucia, the lost heiress of Iarri
moor. AS tie other boats had fioated
away, Glendale explained to her that it
would be necessary for us to convey her
to her place of ABIDE. and that we must
20 quickly, for both of them were drip
ping wet. To this she seemed reluctant
to consent, but, being treasured of our
the rocks entirely concealed by over
hanging vines. Through this We passed
into n shallow channel 1t was a very
singular place. This channel. enclosed
between two high ahd rocky banks, was
about three rods long, and. perhaps, half
as wide in the middle, narrowing at each
end, its inner wall became continuous
with the shore of the lake. Our fair
guide directed Us to the upper end,
where we found natural landing, viii b
led up to door n the rocks In answer
to her call this door was opened by an
aged woman. She seemed very much
frightened on seeing us; but after few
words from Lucia she b,de US enter, and
busted herself making fire and other
wise ministering to our comfort.
The apartment was low, but roomy,
and divided by screens into parlor,
sleeping rooms and kitchen. While
Glendale dried his dreuched garments,
and we drank the cheering cup OF tea
prepared for us by the old woman. Lucia
told her story, which was briefly this:
Despairirg of escape from the hated
alliance in any other way, she had ap.
pealed to her old nurse for aid. This
woman, then nearly ghty years old, was
living with her son in cottage on g
neighboring estate, having quarreled
with Lord Larriinoor some years before.
She and her husband, now dead, had